Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this important issue. I have been paying for water for many years and am delighted to do so. Twenty-five years ago, a mains water supply was installed from the River Slaney in my home village of Rathvilly to Carlow town, some 20 miles away. At that time, the major concern was that the river would be dry within ten years. I can assure everybody in the House that there is more water in the Slaney river today than there was 25 years ago. I do not expect it go dry any time soon. It costs a lot of money to bring that water to my house and to homes in Carlow town. I am glad to make a payment and have, in return, a guaranteed supply of good-quality, clean water. Even during the heavy snows three or four years ago, our supply was secure while others were not so fortunate.

I would be the first to admit that many mistakes were made on this issue in the past year or so. Perhaps our greatest mistake was this time last year when the decision was made to guillotine the Bill. We learned a lot from that. Our second mistake was that we were too ambitious in our whole approach to the project. Trying to rush though in ten or 15 months what it took other countries ten to 15 years to do was not a good plan. Again, we have learned from that mistake.

A story that has not been told properly is why we actually need Irish Water. We need Irish Water because we need a single utility company to bring a high-quality and reliable water supply to every house in the country. Colleagues have drawn a comparison with the establishment of the National Roads Authority, the benefits of which can be seen in the major improvements in roads infrastructure throughout the country. As we know, there was resistance to the establishment of the NRA. We are all guilty - Members, the Government and Irish Water itself - of not explaining why we need such a company.

Under the convoluted local government structure, 31 different local authorities did their best to manage water. Having a single utility company that will be able to borrow money off-balance-sheet will be very effective.

The system has been badly broken for years. Many householders are on boil-water notices and certain sewerage schemes are in a disgraceful condition. We have heard a great deal about drinking water but this issue encompasses sewerage systems also. It is disgraceful that in some towns raw sewage is being pumped into rivers or the sea. This issue must be addressed. Deputy Stephen Donnelly raised many issues but he forgot to mention how the problem in his local town of Arklow could be addressed or from where the money to do so would come.

People are protesting about a number of issues related to Irish Water. Affordability was a major issue. The structure of Irish Water caused significant difficulty for people, including me. I became uneasy with the culture of the company and its approach to bonuses and so forth. Thankfully, these issues have been addressed. I am also glad the proposed use of PPS numbers has been addressed, although I believe this was a red herring. The issue of the first fix has also been resolved and the proposed charge will not apply. Privatisation was also a red herring, and the only people who raised it were Deputies Paul Murphy, Clare Daly and a small number of others. It too has been put to bed once and for all.

The debate on water charges has been characterised by political opportunism. The parties opposite must ask themselves questions about where they are going. A great deal of positioning has been taking place in advance of the next general election. We saw how quickly Sinn Féin changed tack when it lost the Dublin South-West by-election to Deputy Paul Murphy, who was either the Socialist Party or the Anti-Austerity Alliance candidate - I am not sure which. When Deputy Murphy won the by-election, Sinn Féin immediately flip-flopped.

Deputies must be very careful in this regard and members of the public must be conscious that the same Deputies who are advising them not to pay advised people not to pay the household charge a couple of years ago. Those who listened and did not pay are now stuck with penalties of twice the amount of the household charge. They are contacting me and other Deputies to find out what we can do for them. People should be very wary of the advice and information they are being given by Sinn Féin, the Socialist Party and other parties, because it may take them down a dangerous road.

The conservation element is very important. Metering is a major issue, which must be our friend for the future.

More negotiation is required to refine the measures in respect of landlords. I ask the Minister to introduce an element of flexibility for landlords in the coming weeks.

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